After missing the first nine rounds of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with a thumb injury, Eli Tomac is making his season debut this weekend at the Budds Creek National. Despite making his first start of the summer in a strong and competitive field, the Colorado native would be okay with returning to action and working back up to speed, even if off the podium, right? Nope!
“Oh yeah, I would not be happy with a fourth or a fifth!” Tomac told us Friday. “Definitely shooting for a podium, yeah, that’s our mindset. Try and get some good starts.”
“You know, I don't know, it's hard to put a number on it because I haven't been out on the track with the guys,” he continued on whether or not he is fully back up to speed yet. “So, obviously we'll find out tomorrow, but it's so good to be back here and, yeah, just be back at the races.”
Tomac told us he's ridden 30-plus minutes at home for a few weeks, so he's ready, physically, but obviously racing is different.
Well, there you have it. Tomac is excited to be back—he did crack a few smiles during the media sessions on Friday—but he is coming out swinging with a podium finish in mind.
Eyes were already the eventual Hall-of-Famer for his return, but now his riding this weekend—and next weekend at Ironman Raceway—will be viewed under a microscope by the AMA and Team USA for the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. Racer X learned earlier this week a lineup for Team USA would not be coming until after the Pro Motocross finale in order for the team to get two solid looks at Tomac after his thumb injury. Remember, Tomac was an integral part of Team USA’s win back in 2022 on home soil in Michigan. He missed racing for the team last fall due to his Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him from May 2023 until the 2024 Anaheim 1 Supercross season opener but has expressed interest in racing this year’s event in the United Kingdom.